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No. 6|s,o7e. Patented 1an. 24, i899. s B. ELLIS.

TILTIHG BRIDGE FOR THEATRICAL PURPOSES.

(Application led Apr. 15, 1898,)

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IINTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIDNEY R. ELLIS, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

TILTING BRIDGE FOR THEATRICAL PURPOSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part cf Letters Patent No. 618,076, dated January24, 1899. Application fled April 15, 1898. Serial No. 678,204. (Nomodel.)

To (tZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SIDNEY R. ELLIS, a citizen of the United States,residin gin New York city, in the State of New York, have invented a newand useful Tilting Bridge for Theatrical Purposes, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The object of the invention is to adapt portions of a stage-scene to bemechanically operated in such a manner as to produce a ludicrous orstartling effect upon the audience viewing the same.

The invention consists of a bridge arranged to tip or tilt and havingmeans attached thereto for operating the same.

The invention further consists in certain other features of constructionand combination of parts, as fully described in the specification andpointed out in the claims thereof.

Like letters and numerals referto like parts throughout both views ofthe drawings.

Referring' to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of myinvention in position for use in a stage-scene. Fig. 2 is a sectiontaken on line 2 2, Fig. l. w

In the drawings, l represents the drawbridge of a ruined castle, pivotedat one side of the center thereof to a support 3, said supportrepresenting a stone wall bordering upon the side of a river. Thedrawbridge l is pivoted at one side of the center thereof, the longerside being placed toward the audience, so that normally the bridge willstand in the position shown in Fig. 2. Above the drawbridge lis an arch4: of the ruined castle, having depending therefrom a net 5, constructedand painted to represent vines and havingivy-leaves,&C.,attachedthereto. Said net 5 may be strengthened by lines leading to therigging-10ft of the stage. Beneath the drawbridge and at the rear sideof the wall 3 is a rope o', one end of which is attached to thedrawbridge by a ring 7, thence running through a tackleblock 8, attachedto the wall 3, the free end thereof being carried to a convenientposition to be pulled upon when desired, the effect being to suddenlytip the bridge into an upright position. (Shown in dotted lines, Fig.2.)

The operation of the device as a whole is as follows: Supposing a man tobe standing upon the drawbridge at the point a, another man standing atthe point b, and another at c, in the background, Fig. 1, suddenly b andc jump on the short end of the drawbridge and catch the ropes 2 2, whileother men pull upon the free end of the rope 6, the result being tosuddenly throw the bridge l into an upright position and to throw theman who was standing at c into the net 5, placed in the proper positionto receive him and to which he clings. The bridge may then be lowered toits normal position, if desired, and the man left clinging to the vines,the whole operation being performed in an instant and producing a verystartling and ludicrous effect.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Pat ent, is

l. A tilting bridge for theatrical purposes constructed to represent abridge l, pivoted at one side of the center thereof to a support 3, saidplatform having a rope 6 attached to the end of said platform nearestsaid pivotal point, the free end of said rope passing around atackle-block 8, in combination with a net or receptacle 5 attached tothe set scene of a theatrical stage at a point above and to the rear ofsaid platform, substantially as de scribed for the purpose specified.

2. A tilting platform for theatrical pur= poses, constructed torepresent a bridge l,

pivoted at one side of the center thereof to a support 3 said platformhaving holding-ropes 2, 2, attached to the upper surface thereof and arope 6 attached to the end of said platform nearest said pivotal point,the free end of said rope passing around a tackle-block S, in comabination with a net or receptacle 5 attached to the set scene of atheatrical stage at a point above and to the rear of said platform,substantially as described for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

SIDNEY R. ELLIS.

Witnesses:

W. B. GEESKIND, JAMES F. Cnossen.

